External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday (August 21), following extensive discussions earlier in the day with his counterpart, Sergey Lavrov. The principal focus of their meeting was on broadening trade relations between the two nations.
Prior to this, Dr Jaishankar also engaged in comprehensive talks with Lavrov, who was joined by Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Russian co-chair of the Intergovernmental Russian Indian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation Denis Manturov, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India to Russia Vinay Kumar.
Honored to call on President Putin at the Kremlin today. Conveyed the warm greetings of President Droupadi Murmu & Prime Minister @narendramodi.
Apprised him of my discussions with First DPM Denis Manturov & FM Sergey Lavrov. The preparations for the Annual Leaders Summit are… pic.twitter.com/jJuqynYrlX
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 21, 2025
“We believe that relations between India and Russia have been among the steadiest of the major relationships in the world after the Second World War,” Jaishankar said at a joint media briefing with Lavrov.
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“Geo-political convergence, leadership contacts and popular sentiment remain its key drivers,” Jaishankar, currently on a 3-day visit to Russia, said. He also co-chaired the 26th Session of the India–Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) and addressed the India–Russia Business Forum in Moscow.
This high-level meeting took place against the backdrop of steep US tariffs of 50% imposed on Indian goods, a move justified by the Trump administration as a response to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, which is claimed to be indirectly funding Moscow’s actions in Ukraine.
The ministers exchanged views on the further intensification of political engagement at various levels and the enhancement of trade and economic cooperation. Particular attention was paid to the development of transport and logistics corridors, as well as financial and currency channels for collaboration.
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Both the countries expressed strong appreciation for the potential to expand partnership in the peaceful use of nuclear energy and hydrocarbon production.
The Foreign Ministers noted the necessity of accelerating efforts to reinforce the multipolar structure of international relations and to assist nations of the Global South in safeguarding their political sovereignty. They emphasised the importance of establishing a global economic system rooted in equality and justice.
The Russian Foreign Ministry stated, “The sides (two) reaffirmed their intent to increase cooperation on international platforms, above all in the United Nations, the SCO, BRICS and the G20. They checked their approaches to the situation in Afghanistan, Ukraine, to the Iranian nuclear programme, the Israeli-Palestinian settlement and establishing a security architecture in the Asia-Pacific region.”